Camden & Islington « Big Red London

January 22, 2013

Camden Passage and Islington Green

Close to Business Design Centre on Upper Street but tucked away behind Islington Green, Camden Passage is a tiny, paved street and still a big name in the London antiques trade. All our Clerkenwell holiday rental and short let apartments are within easy walking distance of Camden Passage. Stay in elegance and style at BETSEY (sleeps 1 to 4 people); large families or groups will love SELINA penthouse, this apartment sleeps 9 people and offers great views over the City.

Towards the north end of Camden Passage, near The Camden Head pub, the lively flea market is fun. Browse through vintage clothes and bric-a-brac at your leisure; you may well uncover something lovely at a lower price than you would find in any of the shops. Trading days are Wednesday and Saturday.

The African Waistocat Company
33 Islington Green, Camden Passage, Islington, London N1
This tiny gem of a shop specializes in splendid waistcoats with fronts made from Nigerian asa oke cloth. Lengths of exquisite, antique cloth from Northern Nigeria are also on sale. Just as the waistcoats are tailored to an exacting standard, the fabrics used are hand-woven by skilled Yoruba craftsman. An engaging selection of wallets, handmade from various leathers local to South West Nigeria are on sale, too.
Open Wednesday & Saturday 1000h to 1800h, Sunday 1200h to 1800h and at other times by appointment only.
Telephone44 (0)20 77049698 or Mobile: 44(0)7950400048 for an appointment

Granny’s Goodies
Unit 3, 34a The Annexe, Islington Green, London N1
Porcelein-headed dolls, wax-headed dolls, boudoir dolls, celluloid dolls, fabric dolls and there are teddy bears and some dolls’ houses I’d quite like to call ‘home’, too. As well as antique dolls ranging in price from £100 to nearly £2000, Brenda at Granny’s Goodies holds a stock of clothing for teddy bears. Brenda can also secure beds at the dolls’ hospital.

Fat Faced Cat
22-24 Camden Passage, Islington, London N1
Covering all decades from the Victorian era right through to the 1980s, Fat Faced Cat is an elegant treasure trove of fashion from past times. The shop owner, who trained as a costume designer, compiles her stock from pieces personally-selected for excellent quality as well superb style. This is one of very few surviving vintage clothing retailers on Camden Passage in Islington, where once there were very many.

Pierrepoint Arcade
Head south and cross Charlton Place to find Pierrepoint Arcade. Here, you’ll find antique glass, porcelain, military collectables and antique prints. Visit Himiko for exquisite pieces from Japan; silk kimonos, fans, antique prints and delicate carvings. Dreamtime specializes in millinery, jewellery and pretty accessories.

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October 18, 2012

Visit London Farmers’ Markets

Filed under: Camden & Islington,West End — Tags: Bloomsbury Farmer's Market, buy food, farmers' market near Clerkenwell, London Farmers' Market, London holiday rental apartment, London news, near Clerkenwell, weekly — admin @ 3:28 pm

Staying in a Central London apartment is a great way to experience London like a local. It includes food shopping and cooking in your kitchen, as well as eating restaurant meals. Grocery stores and supermarkets are easy to find near all our holiday rental apartments. London food shops have long opening hours and wide ranges, too.

You should also know that London hosts a number of Farmers’ Markets each week. Everything on sale at London Farmer’s Markets is produced within a 100 mile radius. Much of the produce is organic.

The fruit and vegetables will have been picked just hours before being sold at market. Local produce is used to make all the pies, soups and handmade pasta. Cheeses are made with milk from local herds. Delicious fresh bread and cakes are also made with locally-grown ingredients, where possible.

You might find local honey. There are usually handmade jams and preserves. Then, you can choose from fresh-squeezed juices, flagons of cider and bottles of local wine, as well.

All the meat on sale at London Farmers’ Markets comes from high welfare farms. All the poultry and eggs are either free range or organic.

The Farmers’ Market is a Londoner’s best source of local, seasonal produce. As well as enjoying delicious, wholesome food, you’re likely to find some great gifts to take home, too.

Bloomsbury Farmers’ Market
Torrington Place / Byng Place, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HY
Every Thursday from 0900h until 1400h
A short stroll from REGENT SQUARE, moments from the door of GEORGIANA. Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market is easily accessible on foot if you book a stay in any of our West End apartments.

Islington Farmers’ Market
Chapel Market, Angel Islington, London N1 NPZ
Every Sunday from 1000h until 1400h
Walk through the elegant Georgian squares between BETSEY (or any of our Clerkenwell holiday rental apartments) and Islington Farmer’s Market.

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March 16, 2012

Food For Thought at Viaduct Clerkenwell EC1

Filed under: Camden & Islington,City of London — Tags: Clerkenwell design, Clerkenwell exhibition. Clerkenwell design, Clerkenwell restaurants, London EC1 — admin @ 5:22 pm

This latest exhibition examines the relationship between food and design.

James Mair, founder of Viaduct, invited fifteen chefs from local restaurants to devise menus for 15 chair designs, independently of each other. Fergus Henderson at St. John, Sam Clark at Moro and Michael Belben at The Eagle are among the chefs who rose to the challenge.

The chairs include Basel Chair designed by Jasper Morrison for Vitra, Carbon chair designed by Bertjan Pot and Marcel Wanders for Moooi and Eames DSR chair designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Vitra.

With 15 menus and 15 contemporary classic chairs on show, you can see the minds of these renowned chefs at work.

Friday 23rd March to Friday 13th April 2012.

Viaduct Showroom
1-10 Summers Street
London EC1R 5BD

www.viaduct.co.uk

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January 29, 2011

Drugs in Britain

Filed under: Camden & Islington — admin @ 3:30 pm

Wellcome Collection

Cocaine and cannabis, opium and morphine, all legally available in every high-steet pharmacy. Nineteenth Century London was a drug- addled and dissolute culture.

The Wellcome Collection hosts a special event examining the History of Drugs in Britain.

FRIDAY: MAGIC LANTERN PERFORMANCE, 19.00-21.00

Immerse yourself in the era at an evening of authentic Victorian entertainment. The evening will include a performance of the marvellous Magic Lantern with piano accompaniment, a complimentary drinks reception so you can get to know your fellow guests and a chance to enjoy the ‘High Society’ exhibition away from the crowds.

SATURDAY: TALKS AND DISCUSSIONS, 10.30-17.30

It is the 19th century. The advances of science, combined with unfettered global trade, are making drugs stronger, more available and more dangerous than ever before. Something must be done – but what?

Join experts from the worlds of history, literature and pharmacology to explore the drug-addled Victorian metropolis in a series of fascinating talks. Our speakers include ‘High Society’ curator and writer Mike Jay; Stuart Anderson, Associate Dean at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; and historians Louise Foxcroft and Michael Neve.

This event is now sold out.

£30 full price/£20 concession for both days, including drinks on Friday evening and lunch, tea and coffee on Saturday.

£5 early bird discount on top-price tickets – if you book by Friday 21 January.

Please call 020 7611 2222 to book.

To accompany the Wellcome Collection ’High Society‘ exhibition.

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January 12, 2011

Call Mr Robeson and support the cause

Filed under: Camden & Islington — Tags: Call Mr Robeson, London NW1, play, Technis Theatre, theatre — admin @ 1:21 pm

Writer and performer Tayo Aluko is to donate proceeds from five performances of his award-winning play, Call Mr Robeson, to London-based organisations which represent the kind of causes that Paul Robeson supported. The beneficiaries are Anti-Slavery International, Fairtrade London, Stop the War Coalition, Think Global (Development Education Association) and Crossroads Women.

“Paul Robeson was an international superstar who decided to use his fame to champion causes that promoted peace, equality and justice around the world” Mr Aluko explained. “Despite suffering at the hands of the establishment because of his beliefs, his story is very inspiring and I would like to think he would approve of money being raised for such causes today, as they often struggle for funding.”

Call Mr. Robeson has been awarded 5 Stars on no less than six occasions by Fringe festival reviewers. This is a truly remarkable and most memorable work. “I struggle desperately to find words that can truly express my feelings for this production and as such, I urge you, from somewhere within me that I haven’t been in touch with for a long time, to go and experience it for yourself.” (Three Weeks, Brighton Fringe 2010). Another described the performance as “Never less than utterly believable… stirring and moving.. a comforting and entertaining journey” (British Theatre Guide, Edinburgh Fringe 2010).

Call Mr. Robeson. A life, with songs.

Written and Performed by Tayo Aluko, with Michael Conliffe.

Theatro Technis, 26 Crowndale Road, London, NW1 1TT. Box Office: 0207 387 6617.

Tuesday 4th January to Sunday 23th January 2011 (except Mondays) £10/£8. (2 for 1 on 4th, 6th, 11th and 18th)

Fundraising Performances

4th January Anti-Slavery International

5th January: Fairtrade London

6th January: Stop the War Coalition

11th January: Think Global

18th January: Crossroads Women

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December 3, 2010

The London Christmas Experience – A Christmas Carol

Filed under: Camden & Islington,City of London — Tags: A Christmas Carol, Christmas, Christmas 2010, Christmas carols 2010, St Paul's Cathedral — admin @ 7:29 pm

First published in 1843, the quintessential Victorian tale of Christmas by Charles Dickens tells the story of sour and stingy Ebenezer Scrooge’s ideological, ethical and emotional transformation after the supernatural visitations of Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

The Charles Dickens Museum will be holding a reading of A Christmas Carol on 15 December & 21 December at 6.30pm. Tickets (£15/£12) are on sale now, available from the Museum and the price includes mince pies and mulled wine.

We still have some availability in our apartment BETSEY, just a short stroll from the Dickens Museum and Charles Dickens House in Clerkenwell.

If a reading of that eponymous Christmas story is not to your liking, you can enjoy Christmas carols at Londons St Paul’s Cathedral. You caould also enjoy a view of St Paul’ impressive dome from Pear Tree Court, where BETSEY is located, the Cathedral is just a short walk from the apartment.

Carols at an historic cathedral
St Pauls is one of London’s most famous cathedral and its architecture and history are known throughout the world. A cathedral has been on the site since 604 AD, the current dome was built by notable architect Christopher Wren over 300 years ago.

Celebration of Christmas at St Paul’s
The festive season is celebrated with a number of services featuring Christmas carols at St Paul’s Cathedral. Songs performed by the Cathedral Choir, as well as readings by celebrities, will feature at the Celebration of Christmas special service. Starting at 6.30pm on Thursday 16th December, this perenially-popular event promises to be a spectacular part of the season of Christmas carols at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Choral concerts at St Pauls
Celebrate the festive season in traditional style with the beautiful music in the Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. This event is free and unticketed. All are welcome to join the concert, starting at 5pm on Saturday 11th December.
Christmas carols for the whole family are a big feature at the cathedral. Children are especially welcome at the Family Carol Service starting at 1pm on Saturday 18th December. Lasting just 45 minutes, this is a chance for even the smallest to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this lovely building and take part in the Christmas carols at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Christmas Eve at St Paul’s
The Cathedral Choir ushers in Christmas Eve with a 4pm performance of well-loved Christmas carols. The St Paul’s Cathedral Midnight Eucharist will also feature carols and seasonal music, as well as a seasonal sermon.

The advent (Sunday 28th November – Friday 24th December 2010) at St Pauls Cathedral: for more information on the full programme of events, click on the link below.

St Pauls Cathedral Official Site

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September 21, 2010

We’ll Be On The Ethical Eats Restaurant Ramble

Filed under: Camden & Islington — Tags: British Food Fortnight, Clerkenwell, ethical eats, Islington, Restaurant Ramble, Twitter — admin @ 11:08 pm

On the day that ‘mouse over mayhem’ hit Twitter, a thrilling thing happened to @BigRedLondon. HOORAY! We WON! And we are properly pleased.

Just in case you don’t know, The Restaurant Ramble is one of a host of epicurean events taking place all over the country as part of British Food Fortnight (18th September to 3rd October). ‘A modern harvest festival’ British Food Fortnight reminds us to celebrate the diverse and delicious range of food produced locally.

On 28th September, in and around Clerkenwell, Islington, four excellent eateries are serving dishes designed to highlight the prime of Autumn produce. We (hooray!) are starting with an aperitif at the multi-award winning Duke of Cambridge, the only certified organic pub in UK. Then, it’s onwards to The Charles Lamb, the lovely local pub where we’ll enjoy our starters. Our main course, at Clerkenwell Kitchen, which won the Time Out Best Sustainable Restaurant award in 2008, is bound to be brilliant. Dessert will be at super-sophisticated Bistro Bruno Loubet at The Zetter.

As soon as I found out that we had WON, I telephoned MG. The Queen of The Excel Spreadsheet, she usually leaves tweeting @BigRedLondon to me. However, MG is a food-lover and an excellent cook who has been known to bake bread. She also grows some of her own food in her pocket-handkerchief garden. MG will be the perfect dining companion. She is bound to take a camera – she likes to photograph food.

There are still tickets available for this event so please join us, if you can. Either way, do check out the London Food Link and Love British Food websites; both are packed with food for thought.

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August 11, 2010

St Pancras Station: Grand Champagne Bar

Filed under: Camden & Islington — Tags: Big Red London, Searcy's Grand Champagne Bar, Sir George Gilbert Scott, St Pancras Station, William Barlow — admin @ 1:33 pm

Perhaps you would not ordinarily visit a station to drink champagne but this is no ordinary station. Even as St Pancras first opened in 1877, its architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott, described the station as “too good for its purpose”. Recently renovated at a cost of £800,000,000, St Pancras is also known as ‘the cathedral of railways’.

Some 210m in length, spanning 75m and more than 30m high, the painstakingly-restored trainshed roof was designed by engineer William Henry Barlow. At the time, it was the largest covered space in the world. How better to marvel at the graceful curves, arching in unbroken line from platform level to the ridge at the top, than from the Grand Champagne Bar?

Sited on the Upper Concourse, in keeping with the grandeur of these surroundings, this is the longest champagne bar in Europe. There is seating for 110 people but be warned! The booths, with leather banquettes, individual fan heaters and solicitous table service are very difficult to leave.

A showcase of Champagne in every hue, vintage and price tag, you can choose from 70 bins. Prices range from about £40 to £2,700 for a bottle of 1949 Krug. Eleven are available by the glass, priced from under £8 to around £25.

You could start the day with a Champagne Breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs on toast and a glass of Champagne, served from 10am. The laydeez of Big Red London visit The Grand Champagne Bar at St Pancras later on, preferring to share Afternoon Tea here. We recommend the experience highly and heartily.

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